The Small, Small World of Washington Media

Yesterday’s departure ofCity Paper editorMichael Schaffer gives a window into just how interrelated the Washington media world can be sometimes—and how strong of an alumni network
the alt-weekly has in journalism.

The news in the matter is that Schaffer, who became theCity Paper’s editor in 2010 after longtime chiefErik Wemple left for TBD.com, is becoming the editorial director at the New Republic, edited once again by his former schoolmateFranklin Foer, and taking with himCity Paper housing bloggerLydia DePillis. Additionally,City Paper managing editorMike Madden will step into the editor role, and arts editorJonathan Fischer will be Madden’s number two.

but had to add this disclaimer: “I used to be managing editor
atCity Paper, I worked with Wemple at TBD.com, and I hired DePillis and Fischer.”

That news was picked up over at DCist, whereBenjamin Freed had to add this disclosure in reporting it: “I have been
a contributing writer to theWashington City Paper since April 2010 and have worked with Schaffer, Madden, DePillis, and extensively with Fischer. I also gave Fischer one of
his first jobs in journalism—editing the arts section of the student newspaper at Brandeis University.”

While theWashington Post’s media blog, edited by—wait for it—Erik Wemple, made no mention of the
musical chairs at the alt-weekly, the paper does have todayHank Stuever’sreview

of HBO’s new documentary about America’s love affair with
canine pets, airing Monday, which carries with it the disclaimer:
“One Nation Under Dog is inspired by a 2009 book of the same name that was written by a friend of mine,Washington City Paper editor Michael Schaffer.”

About the only person who didn’t have to add a disclosure to his writeup on the news? TheCity Paper’s newest reporter,Will Sommer, who just joined the paper this
month and to whom fell the role of reporting his paper’s
news.